Riyadh - The Saudi Ministry of Health said Saturday that four new new cases of the A/H1N1, or swine flu virus had been confirmed, boosting the total to 34 in the country.

Two young girls and an eight-month-old baby had contracted the virus after coming in contact with "a previously confirmed case," the ministry said in a statement released to reporters.

The fourth case was that of a 27-year-old Saudi man who had returned to the kingdom from Thailand on Tuesday, the ministry said.

Saudi Arabia is preparing for a potential increase in cases when millions of Muslim pilgrims flock to Mecca and Medina to make the Hajj pilgrimage later this year. (dpa)